Liquid control



Patented May 25, 1954 LIQUID CONTROL Richard B. Esselman, ManhattanBeach, Calif., assignor to Farr Company, Los Angeles, Calif., acorporation of California Original application M 213,986. Divided and1952, Serial No. 281,284

11 Claims. (Cl. 137-412) This invention relates to a liquid controlsuitable for controlling liquid handled by a tank or like container, andit is a, general object of the invention to provide a simple, eifective,dependable valve operating mechanism forming a unit, with parts of thevalve detachable from the container and the remainder of the valve andhaving electrical operating parts maintained above the level of liquidin the container.

This application is filed as a division of application Serial No.213,986, filed March 5, 1951, entitled Control for Liquid Container.

The mechanism as provided by the present invention is applicable to aliquid container and may, for example, be applied to an open topped tankor like vessel. The mechanism of the invention provides an operatingmechanism combined with parts of a drain valve adapted to control flowthrough a drain opening provided in the bottom of the tank. The drainvalve involves a bowl-like body fixed to the bottom of the carrier todepend therefrom. A head is engaged with the body and is releasablysupported on an upwardly facing shoulder in the rim portion of the bodyand is sealed therewith by a washer. Twofluid passages are providedthrough the head, one an outlet passage communicating with the bottom ofthe tank and the other an overflow opening. The valve proper is adisc-shaped member in the body cooperating with a downwardly facing seatprovided on the head and surrounding the outlet opening. A stem carriesthe valve and is guided by a projection provided on a boss that projectsup from the head. A tubular standard projects up from the head and iscarried by the boss in communication with the overflow opening of thehead. An overflow inlet opening is provided in the standard at a pointof maximum liquid level in the tank. Operating means for the stem isprovided at the upper end of the standard and involves a housing fixedon the standard and also releasably held by a supplemental support thatis located on the tank. A shiftable element is provided in the housingand has a normal up position and an actuated down position. A resilientcoupling is provided between the shiftable element and the stem. Thecoupling involves a stop on the stem, a yoke-type link or bracketslidable on the stem and attached to the shiftable element, and a springacting under compression between the stop and the link. The shiftableelement is a core to be operated by a coil which is under control of aswitch operated by a suitable timing device. A manuarch 5, 1951, SerialNo. this application April 9,

ally operable switch is provided for operating the coil independently ofthe timer. A fluid supply line is provided and is under control of anelectrically actuated valve and a float controls the actuator so thatwhen the tank is drained to a predetermined level fluid is supplied toit. The supply valve closes when the liquid reaches the maximum level inthe tank.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a mechanism of thegeneral character referred to, characterized by a unitary assembly ofelectrical elements normally releasably held in operating position abovethe tank, so that it is accessible and can be easily and quicklydetached for purpose of removal when it is desired to effectreplacement, repair, or cleaning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the generalcharacter referred to in which there is a simple, practical, improvedarrangement and combination of parts including electrical elementsoperating the inlet and drain valves.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mechanism of thegeneral character referred to having a simple, effective, dependableoperating means including a coil actuated core and a coupling connectingthe core with the stem of the valve and providing for overtravel of thecore after the valve has been closed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a practical andcompact unitary structure including drain valve parts, operating meansfor the drain valve, and a float control for an actuator operating aninlet valve, which elements form a simple, unitary structure having theelectrical elements clear of the liquid being handled.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred form and application of the invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a tank showing the mechanismof the invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken substantially as indicated by line 22 on Fig. 1. dicated by line33 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view taken as indicated by line 44on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the circuitprovided by the invention, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectionalview taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 1.

The mechanism of the present invention is adapted to be applied to asuitable liquid carrier Fig. 3 is an enlarged view taken as in body andreleasable means or vessel such as a tank A, and it is such as tocontrol flow of fluid to the tank from a supply line 93 and from thetank through an opening It] in the bottom thereof. The particular tankillustrated in the drawings is of simple or conventional form and has aside wall |2 projecting up from the edge of the bottom to a pointsomewhat above the maintained in the tank.

The mechanism provided by the present invention involves, generally,adrain valve l3 located at or carried by the bottom of the tank A andserving to control flow or passage of fluid through the opening H]. Astandard C is carried by and projects upwardly from the drain valve Band supports an operating means D which is located at the upper end ofthe standard and at a point above the level of the liquid L.

The drain valve B, as provided by the present invention, involves,generally, abody 29 having a bowl portion 2! and a rim portion 22. Thevalve B furtherin'cludes a head 23 carried by the 24 normally securingthe head onor in connection with the body. The head of the drain valveis characterized by a drain opening that provides communication betweenthe interior of the tank and the bowl 2| of the head, and by an overflowopening 3| that provides communication between the standard C and thebowl of the body, as hereinafter described. In the particular caseillustrated the bowl 2| of the valve body 2|! has a lateral outletextension 33 from which fluid drained from the tank can be discharged ordelivered to a drain line 34, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

In the particular case illustrated the body 28 of the drain valve has amounting flange 35 at the upper periphery of the rim portion 22 and theflange 35 may be secured to the bottom I of the tank, as by welding, -orthe like. In the particular arrangement illustrated the flange 35 isapplied to the bottom or lower side of the bottom H and as a result thebowl portion of the body depends below the bottom I Through thisarrangement all of the fluid or liquid carried in the tank can bedrained into the body of, the valve for discharge therefrom.

The head 23 of the valve is preferably a unit,

say, for example, a casting, and it is supported in the rim portion 22of the body 20. In the preferred arrangement an upwardly facing shoulder38 is provided in the rim portion of the body and a suitable seal orwasher 39 is provided between the peripheral portion of the head 23 andthe shoulder 38, as shown in the drawings. The releasable means 24connecting the head 23 and body 20 is shown as involving screwfasteners. In the case illustrated there are two screw fasteners ratdiametrically opposite points and each involves a bolt/4|) engaged witha bifurcated lug 4| projecting upwardly and outwardly from the head andis threaded into an opening 42 provided in the rim portion 22 of thebody. The bifurcated lugs 4| project up from the head 23 occurringwithin the rim portion of the body and they project laterally to overlietheportions of the rim in which the openings 42 occur. The bolts arevertically disposed and their heads 44 are at their upper ends so thatthey are readily accessible from the interior of the tank.

The valve proper, 45, is a disc-like element located in the bowl portion2| of body 20, and it is normally engaged with a seat '46 projectingdownwardly from the head 23 and surrounding of the tank.-

level of liquid L to be normally the outlet opening 30. The valve 45which may be of any suitable material that will effectively seal withthe seat 46 is carried by a stem 48 and it is preferred that the valvebe adjustably secured on the stem. In the case illustrated spaced nuts49 are threaded on the lowerend portion of the stem 48 and washer-likeplates 58 are carried on the stem at opposite sides of the valve wherethey are retained by the nuts.

The stem 48 projects vertically from the valve to a point above thelevel of liquid L in the tank and its lower end portion is slidablysupported by a guide t-l shown projecting from a boss 52 that projectsupwardly from the head 23 at the drain opening 3|.

The standard C is a tubular support carried by the boss 52 "provided onhead 23 to be in communication with the overflow opening 3| provided inthe head 23. The standard projects upwardly to apoint well abovethelevel of liquid L and at the point where it isfdesired to maintainthe level of liquid the standard is provided with an 'overflow opening55. In practice a plurality of openings can be provided in the standardat or above this point to assuredrainage through the standard ratherthan overflow of liquid from the tank. The lower end portion of thetubular standard is tight or fixed in the boss 52, and as a result thestandard not only forms a support for the operating means D, as will behereinafter described, but it also forms a drain or overflow duct thatprevents flooding of thetank. p

The operating means D is shown as involving a housing 66 supported byand fixed on the upper end of the standard C, a vertically shiftableelement 6| and a connecting means 62 between the shiftable element 6|and the upper end portion of the valve stem 48. I M

The housing 160 is shown as including a'casting having a boss 19 thatholds or tightly receives the upper end of the standard C, The housinghas a downwardly projecting skirt 80 that cooperates with a supplementalsupport 8|. The support 8| is in the nature of a bracket fixed to theupper edge portion of the wall |2 of the tank and carries one or morescrew fasteners 82 received by downwardly opening notches 84 provided'inthe skirt 8 0. V

Through thejcon'struction provided when the fastening means24 isreleased and the fasteners 82 loosened, the unit formed by the valvehead 23, the valve 45 stem 48, the standard and the operating means Dcan be freely lifted away from or clear of the valve body, the tank andthe bracket 8| 0n the tank. It is to be understood that the supplementalsupport formed by the bracket 8| can be used or'not, as circumstancesrequire, since the standard C may be or such construction and formationas to be an adequate support for the means D under most circumstances.

It is to be observed that in accordance with'the general constructionand arrangement provided by the invention'the standard projects not onlyabove the level of liquid in the tank but actually above the upper edge85 of the tank, and as a result the operating means D is located'wellabove and clear of liquid in the tank so that it i's'not affected orcontamin'ated'thereby.

The operating means D involves a vertically shiftable element 6| and ameans for operating the element 6 The element 6 'isconnected with the'sterh'48 bythe'connectin'g means 62 and is in the formof'aicore. Acoil'or winding fixed in the housing 60 surrounds the core andisprovided for operating'the core. The coil'is adapted 5 to beenergized'from a power line L under control of a switch S. The coil andcore cooperate to form an electrical actuating means for the drainvalve.

Switch S, as shown in the diagram, Fig. 5, is incorporated in or as apart of a timer T which includes a constantly operating timer motor M.The coil Ed is connected in parallel with the motor M and the switch Scontrolling the coil is normally closed so the coil is normallyenergized and the core 6| held up so the valve operated by stem 48 isnormally closed. The motor M is such as to operate or open switch S atsuitable or predetermined time intervals and for suitable orredetermined periods of time.

When switch S is opened the core drops and the stem t8 opens the valve.The valve stays open until the switch S is closed by the motor M causingthe coil 6 to be energized and the core to be lifted.

A normally open, manually operable switch S is connected in parallelwith switch S so that if circumstances so require the coil 54 can beenergized or held energized independently of the operation of switch Sby motor M.

A fluid supply line 99 is provided and is arranged to deliver fluid intotank A, preferably adjacent the control D. An inlet valve I controlsflow through line 99 and is operated by an electrical actuator I0! undercontrol of a float 90. The circuit to the actuator I0! is carried by aflexible line I08 of suitable length and is controlled by a switch S"operated by the float.-

The float Si! is carried by a lever 65 pivotally supported by or in thehousing 68 which also carries the coil 64, core switch S and. switch S,and other electrical elements, as desired. The lever 66 is shown ascarried by a pivotal support 69 and as having a projecting arm 68 foroperating the switch S.

The lever 66 depends from the housing 60 into the tank so the float islocated in the tank. The parts are related so that the valve I00 is openwhen the float 90 is down. When liquid in the tank elevates the float toa predetermined level switch s is closed and actuator Hll is energizedso that valve I00 is closed. v

The housing 60 is preferably a downwardly opening box-like element orstructure and the switch S and the float carrying lever 66 arepreferably mounted in the case so that a protective guard or shield 9!of rubber, or the like, may be arranged to project from the switch andengage around the lever to effectively protect the switch againstexposure to moisture.

Further, a guide I95 for lever 66 preferably depends from within thehousing to a point where it serves to eflectively guide the pivotalmovement of the lever 66. The guide M5 is shown depending from theswitch S and as having a slot we in which the lever 66 operates.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the controlmeans D includes not only the coil and core that operate the valve stem48, but also the switch controlling the inlet valve and the floatmechanism operating that valve. Further, other electrical elements maybe carried by the housing as desired. The switch S is shown carried bythe housing and, if desired, the timer M and switch S may also becarried by the housing.

The connecting means 62 is shown as including a pivotal pin 65carried-by element BI and pivotally holding a yoke-like bracket 10 whichis slidably engaged with stem 48. The bracket closing of the drainvalve.

10 engages the stem 48 below a stop H provided on the stem and acompression spring 72 is carried on the stem between the stop and thebracket. This construction provides for a cushioning of the action andthe element 6| may over-travel or move beyond aposition that eflects Theelement 6| is preferably in line with the valve stem. However, throughthe connecting means 62 a certain amount of movement may occur betweenthe parts so that there is no danger of parts binding or becoming stuck.

It will be apparent that with the mechanism just described the timer Mcauses the switch S to be opened at predetermined intervals so that theelement BI is operated to open the drain opening 311'. When the level ofliquid in the tank drops below the predetermined level the switch S isclosed by action of float 90, causing the valve I00 to open and passfluid into the tank. It will be apparent that with the mechanism that Ihave provided various actions can be obtained, as circumstances mayrequire.

By providing a drain valve of substantial capacity and by providing atimer causing the' drain valve to be held open a predetermined length oftime, the inlet valve may operate in conjunction with the drain valve sothat the desired draining and flushing action is obtained, and there maybe some overlap in the action of the valves so that they are both openfor a time.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a liquid supply line and a tank having a drainopening, a drain valve controlling the opening, a supply valvecontrolling the supply line, and a single control means including afirst electrical actuating means adapted to operate the drain valve, asecond electrical actuating means adapted to operate the supply valve, aswitch controlling said first actuating means, a timer controlling onlysaid switch, a switch controlling said second actuating means, and afloat controlling only the last mentioned switch.

2. In combination with a liquid supply line and a tank having a drainopening, a drain valve controlling the opening, a supply valvecontrolling the supply line, and a control including a first electricalactuating means adapted to operate the drain valve, a second electricalactuating means adapted to operate the supply valve, a switchcontrolling the first mentioned actuating means, a switch controllingthe second actuating means, and two switch actuators adapted to operateindependently of each other, one a timer controlling the switch for theactuating means of the drain valve, and the other a float controllingthe switch for the actuating means of the supply valve.

3. In combination with a liquid supply line and a tank having a drainopening, a drain valve controlling the opening and having an operatingstem, a supply valve controlling the supply line, and a control meansincluding a first electrical actuating means adapted to operate thedrain valve and including a coil actuated core, means yieldinglycoupling the core x'zand body,

, tank, a supplyvalve controlling the supply line,

- and' means: releasably coupling irtoiithehstem, arsecond; electrical.actuatingrlmeans adapted to operate athesupply :valve; 3;;SWi'bOhcontrolling ithellfil'st. actuating. ,m-eana; a timer controlling'said-cswitch, :a switchrcontrolling the "second actuatingrzmeans, andafloat controlling r-.;:only. the iast mentionedwswitch.

4. :Incombination with a'liquidsupply line and 'afitank. having adrain.opening, a; drain valve ,1 adapted to control,-the1;opening-;-andVincluding an overflowstandarci andeanoperating stem, a,.-$.upply,a;,'alve' controlling :thezsupplyrline, and a control including a firstelectricalzactuating smeans vwopera'ting the ,-"drain .-.valv.e;,a-second electrical ractuatingmeans-:operating the supply 'yalve, aswitch, adaptedto .control the; first actuating .":means-, a timer 7:adapted to :control the, second actuating 211163.115,

controlling said switch, a 'switch zsaandc a :float. controlling ;the':last-rmentioned :switch, the first actuating :means, the switches wandthe float being carried bythe standard.

.' .;5.--;In combination with a liquid supply line sand a tankhaving-azdrain-ropening, adrain.valve controlling the; opening :andincluding .a body :fixed .to Lthe .tank,.a head, astandardprojecting."up from theihead, aisstemsguided by the "head, :andsmeans relea'sablycoupling the head to :the body, 'a-supply valve controlling the supplyline,

a :control including a afirst .electrical actuatl'ingJneans adaptedto.operate'the stem of the iidrain-.valve,.a secondelectrical actuatingmeans i adapted to operate the supply valve, a switch controlling thefirst actuating means, a timer :controlling 'said':switch,- a switchcontrolling the second actuating i means,. and ::.the :last maentionedswitch; the first actuating 4 a float controlling :means, the switchesand the float being carried by 'theistandard.

6; Incombin ation with a liquid supply line and a tank havingadmin-opening, a drain valve controlling the openingand:including a bodyfixed to theitank, a head, astandard projecting up from thehead-and astem guided by the head, and'meansrreleasably couplingthe head to the ahousing carried by the standard above the s and a control including afirst electrical actuat- -;,ing.-means operating the stem of the drainvalve, a'second electrical actuating means'operating the ssupply valvegaswitch controlling'the first actu- :atingmeans, a timer controlling saidswitch, a

5,;SWit0hfCOIllllfO11ing .the second. actuating means, and a floatcontrolling the last mentioned switch,

1:i'thetfirstactuating means, the switches-and the :5. float,abeingecarried. by-the housing.

7. In combination-witha liquid supply lineand-fi a tankhaving .a ,drain;opening, a-idrain -valve ..';control'ling the opening andincluding -abody :fixed to thetank, ahead, 2. standard projecting iup from the head,a stem;guided by thehead, the head to the body a housing carried bythestandardabove the tank,means releasably' coupling the housing to' thetank, a supply'valvecontrolling the supply line; and a controlincludinga-first electrical ac:

tuating means operatingthe stem; a secondelectrical *actuating *meansoperating the supply valve, a switch controlling 1 the "first actuating'--.oon tro11ing thesecond v float-controlling the last mentionedswitch, the

actu t me s a d. a

; first actuating means, the switches and ,the float a tank-having adrain controlling the Opening, ling the supply line, and a controlincludi a first electrical actuating means operating the ating means,and

being carried by the housing.

8. In combination withaliquid supply,lin e;and opening, a drain-valve asupply valve controldrain valve, a second electrical actuating meansoperating the supply valve, a switch controlling -the ;first,-act uatingmeans, a-gtimer controlling said switch, a switchcontrollingthesecond-actua float means operating the last mentioned switch;thefioatrneansincluding apivoted lever carrying theflpat and carrying a:switch operating arm and a ing, the lever and shielding the lastmentioned .ating the supply valve, a

flexible shield enga "switch operating arm-and a guide cooperativelyrelated to the lever.

10. A control for a-tank having-an outlet opening including, a drainvalve having a body carried by the tank and defining a fluid receivingchamber, a head engaged with the body separating the tank and-thechamber and having apassage therethrough between the tank and chamber, avalve member controlling flow through said passage,--and-asteinoperating the valve member,

, by the upperend portion a standardcarriedbythe head-and projectingupwardly therefrom to the upperportion of the tank and-operatingmeansfor the stem carried of the standard including, a: core, alink-connecting the'coreand stem ingincluding, -r-ied by'the tank anddefining a-fluid receiving chamber, -a head engaged ingthe- -tank-andthe chamber and having a and a coil operating the core.

=11. A-controlfor a tank having an outletopena drainvalve having -a bodycarwith the body separatpassage" therethrough between the tank and-chamber, a-valve member controlling flow through said passage,-andastemoperating the valve member, a standard oarriedby the head andprojecting upwardly therefrom to the upper portion ofthe tank, and

operatingmeans for the stem --carried by the-upperend-portion of thestandard connecting the core and -the-core,- and a switch including,acore, a link stem, at coil-operating -controlling the coil.

mileferencesacitediin the file; of this patent "UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date ,l,999,439 ,Braun Apr. 30, 1935 2,133,174 .,;Minich.vl-, Oct. 11,,1938

means; a' timer controlling saidswitch, a switch

